New President Bob Strickert Outlines Initiative for 2013-2014

Bob Strickert, in his first meeting as President, outlined the major initiatives for the coming year to a packed house.

Bob first thanked Past President Mike Fowler and the retiring Executive members Kathy Chenier, Jim Jenkins, Richard Gauder and Frank Baxter for their significant contributions. Bob then proceeded to introduce the new executive. All names and positions are listed on the first page of Club Runner.

Bob prefaced the initiatives by commenting that the new Executive had met and agreed that we should build on the momentum of the last few years. Hence there will be no radical course changes. He then summarized 10 areas of focus as follows:

• Continue to have fun and enjoy Rotary meetings and company of Rotarians. Bob advised that he would like to have at least one event or meeting each month to which spouses or partners are invited. The first two are scheduled- Lake Scugog Camp on July 17 (contact Jim Brady) and our new District Governor visit on August 14 for a barbecue at the library (contact Terry Coyne).

• Continue our signature initiatives – our Seniors Dinner and our Literacy Program.

• Encourage everyday use of Club Runner by our Rotarians.

• Continue to develop the new projects (e.g. Trails and Food Projects) and start implementation once committed to by the Club members.

• Continue our Fundraiser efforts – Aqua Rama, the Golf Tournament, the Gala, some form of “Pennies for Polio” and “Legs for Literacy". Identify and implement one new fundraiser.

• Continue our support for international projects including the India project (for which we hope to receive our first district grant with at least three other Clubs), continue our support for Rift Valley and consider support for other yet unidentified projects.

• A little sweat equity – renovate a second cabin at Lake Scugog Camp and help Mike Fowler in the park cleanup day. The trail project may also offer future opportunities.

• Increase membership by one and continue the community awareness efforts

• Continue the youth program. Saara Laine comes from Finland in August.

• And one new one. Start a Scugog Rotary Bursary program for Scugog residents, with significant financial needs, that have been accepted at UOIT or Durham College. These two schools allow students with financial hardship to live at home and pursue their education. Attempt to involve high school(s) and the students in a fundraising effort for the bursaries.

It should be another great year!